Lettuce Merveille De Quatre Saisons - Renee`s Garden

START SEEDS OUTDOORS

In cool early spring weather, start seeds in finely worked soil in full sun. Sow 1/4 in. deep and 1 in. apart in rows 6 to 8 in. apart and cover lightly. Tend carefully and keep evenly moist. Gradually thin seedlings out by cutting them with scissors, leaving remaining plants to stand 12 in. apart so heads have room to fully size up and mature. For a constant supply, make several sowings a few weeks apart until summer weather turns hot. Plant again in late summer for fall harvest. 

GROWING NOTES

Lettuce thrives in cool conditions with consistent moisture. Weed, water and thin carefully for best quality heads. If birds are attracted to young seedlings, cover with floating row covers or netting.

HARVEST AND USE

Savor young thinnings in your first spring salads. Then harvest plants by cutting mature heads when they feel firm and well-filled out. Be sure to thin properly and keep evenly moist for sweet tasting, full heads. Pull and discard or compost over-mature plants if they begin to elongate ("bolt") in hot weather as leaves turn bitter at this stage.